The Project OPEN Media Hub: Networking, on-the-job training and support to media professionals across the EU Neighbourhood area (EuropeAid/136510/DH/SER/Multi) is part of the European Union Programme OPEN Neighbourhood: opportunities, participation, engagement and networking” and is implemented by a consortium led by Thomson Foundation. The Consortium includes Action Global, European Journalism Centre, Free Press Unlimited, France Médias Monde, Ipsos Mori and Particip. The OPEN Media Hub project follows up on two previous EU funded projects – the Media Neighborhood and the European Neighbourhood Journalism Network.

Short summary: Our multimedia project started with the idea of finding a new human angle to the ongoing reporting on migration. We were looking for a theme that a global audience can relate to without repeating in negative and biased angles. We also observed that due to the fast-paced chain of events few journalists actually took time to talk to children even though they often served as photo-motifs. We wondered what was going on in the minds of these children. How did they make sense of the situation and how did displacement affect the relationship with their parents? As filmmakers and journalists we believe in the power of storytelling. So we decided to collect bedtime stories at the scenes of Europe’s refugee crisis over the course of one year. The journey took us to the land of wolves and ants, and to a land of parents’ imagination which was full of lies and truth about the political reality they lived in.

They lead us into a world of adventure and secrets. Sometimes, we even take them along into our dreams. The soft, warm blanket and the soothing voice of the storyteller help make these stories an important nightly ritual.

For information on rights of usage of this story please contact the OPENMediaHub at info@openmediahub.com